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Laurel School New Faculty and Staff: 2009-2010
Wendy Butler
Upper School History
Wendy comes to Laurel most recently from Lehi, Utah, where she taught U.S. Government and Citizenship at Lehi High School. As an experienced teacher in Utah and Virginia, Wendy has taught courses ranging from AP World History, AP European History and AP United States History, to World History, World Geography and Social Studies. She has written curriculum for a new course in AP World History, has developed on-line curriculum for AP courses in U.S. and World History and has written and published a number of papers. She and her husband have restored several of the very old homes in which they have lived. Her three daughters all attended Bryn Mawr College.
- M.A. and B.A. in history – Brigham Young University
Beth Clark
Upper School History
Before taking some time away from teaching to raise a family, Beth taught history at Hawken School for six years, where she also developed and implemented a world cultures course for Eighth Grade students. In addition to her teaching and mentoring responsibilities there, Beth coached volleyball and swimming. She has co-authored five high-school level and two middle-school level books for the Center for Learning. In addition, she has worked with students individually, tutoring them in writing, humanities, history and English.
- M.A. in U.S. diplomatic history – The Ohio State University
- B.A. in history – John Carroll University
Katie Nabors
Middle School Dance and Drama; Upper School Dance
Katie has studied and performed extensively in the United States, most recently touring in Greece and the Ukraine. She also has directed several productions including Romeo and Juliet and The Wizard of Oz. For the past two summers she has been on the faculty of the Ensemble Theatre Community School in Eagles Mere, PA, teaching movement and creative dramatics.
- B.A. in theater performance/dance – Oakland University
Christina Crouch
Primary World Languages
Christina will join the Laurel faculty full time this year. A Laurel graduate, she worked previously as a Primary Assistant in Laurel’s Kindergarten and First Grade before finishing up her coursework for a master’s degree. She returns to teach French and Spanish in the new Kindergarten - Grade Four foreign language program and also will act as the program’s curriculum coordinator and assist homeroom teachers in Primary. Christina grew up speaking French as a second language, studied Spanish and German in intensive programs in Europe and spent a year teaching English in Japan.
- M.A. in early childhood education – Ursuline College
- B.A. in history – McGill University
Melynda Byrnes
Primary - Second Grade
Mindy comes to Laurel from Salt Lake City, Utah, where she was an extended learning program teacher at Hawthorne Elementary School. In this capacity, she designed and implemented curriculum for gifted students in a magnet program for the school district. While there, she also served as the teacher representative on the School Improvement Council and School Community Council for five years, working to resolve school community issues and develop improvement plans.
- B.A. in anthropology – Vassar College
- B.S. in elementary education – University of Utah
Alexis Hedderson
Pre-Primary Assistant
Most recently a substitute teacher at Urban Community School in Cleveland, Alexis has worked part-time as a visual arts instructor for ArtsCollinwood. She previously worked in a similar capacity at Cleveland Public Theatre and Art House, programs that focus on art education and activities for children from pre-school age to sixth grade. She also has served as activities coordinator for the Near West Theatre.
- B.A. in early childhood education – Ursuline College
Ning Chen
Upper School Chinese
With ten years of teaching experience, Ning taught recently as a part-time lecturer at Cleveland State University and also has worked as a tutor for local high school students. Before coming to the United States, she was an instructor and lecturer at China University of Mining and Technology in Xuzhou, China, and also lived and studied in Japan.
- M.A. in technology education – West Virginia University
- B.A. in English – China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China
Rebecca Lempke
Physical Education
Becky, familiar to Upper School girls from her work last year as a field hockey and lacrosse coach, now joins us full time in the physical education department, assisting Diana Wilson in the Primary and Mary Castiglione in the Middle School. She will continue to coach and will teach fitness. She spent last school year as a teaching assistant at Ruffing Montessori School. Before returning to Ohio, Becky was both a field hockey coach and major athletic events coordinator in Dallas, Texas.
- Master ‘s in recreation and sports sciences – Ohio University
- B.A. in psychology – Ohio University
Amanda Trotter
Middle School Mathematics
Mandy comes to Laurel from Southgate Independent School District in Kentucky where she taught mathematics in fifth through eighth grades and developed programs and strategies to increase student math scores in state-wide testing and ACT exams. She also was an active member in a three-year partnership program, CARE Partnership, which focused on practicing democratic methods in the classroom. Mandy was raised in the Cleveland area and is happy to be returning to her roots.
- M.E. in administration – University of Cincinnati
- B.S. in education – Ohio University
Maegan Ruhlman
Admission Officer
A Laurel graduate, Maegan will bring her experience as a member of Laurel’s Green Key society, our admission ambassador program, to her new position as the Middle and Upper School Admission Officer. She most recently worked part-time as an assistant in the Development Office. An avid sailor, Maegan is campaigning to become a member of the women’s match racing team competing in the 2012 Olympics in London.
- B.S. in elementary education – College of Charleston
Catherine Butler
Art Department
Catherine becomes a member of the art department at Laurel and will teach part-time. As a jewelry artist, she has exhibited in many shows across the United States and abroad. In addition, she has taught classes and workshops at the University of Akron, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Center for Contemporary Art and at Heights Art. Most recently, Catherine was the Artist in Residence at Spring-Ford Senior High School in Royersford, Pennsylvania.
- B.F.A. – Cleveland Institute of Art
Treva Offutt
Fifth Grade Assistant
Treva comes to us with a wealth of experience in the classroom, visual arts, and performing arts. A Beaumont School graduate and a member of the Urban Bush Women performance ensemble, she was a professional performer in both New York City and Los Angeles. In addition, she worked in both cities in educational outreach programs, developing curriculum and teaching classes. Recently returned to Cleveland, she looks forward to continuing her classroom experience – enriching the curriculum and supporting the teachers.
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